Somaliland denounces creation of new Northeastern State administration as illegal

Hargeisa, Somalia — Aug. 2, 2025 — The Somaliland government on Saturday strongly condemned the recently announced Northeastern State administration based in Lasanod, calling it illegitimate and a direct threat to the territorial integrity of Somaliland.

In an extraordinary cabinet meeting held in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s Council of Ministers issued a statement rejecting the new administration and reaffirmed that the regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Togdheer remain an integral part of Somaliland’s territory. The cabinet also adopted firm decisions aimed at addressing the emerging political tensions.

Speaking to the press, Information Minister Ahmed Yasin Sheikh Ali Ayanle said Somaliland’s borders were established at independence in 1960, before its union with Somalia, and that the people of the contested regions had fully participated in the formation of the Somaliland state three decades ago.

The government accused Somalia’s federal authorities of instigating the creation of the new regional entity to influence upcoming national elections. It is alleged that arms and international aid meant for stabilization were being diverted to escalate the conflict in Sool and Sanaag.

Despite the tensions, the Somaliland government said it remains open to peaceful dialogue with local communities in eastern Sool in an effort to end the conflict in Lasanod. The information minister noted that peacebuilding efforts in parts of Sanaag had already yielded progress.

Somaliland’s cabinet concluded by affirming its readiness to defend its territory against any attempts at division and dismissed the new Northeastern State administration as unrepresentative of the local population. While the Puntland regional state has criticized the move, the federal government in Mogadishu has publicly expressed full support for the new administration.

GAROWE ONLINE